Nagpur: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has expressed strong displeasure over delays in completing the new runway at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur here, on Monday, December 23. He issued a stern ultimatum to the contractor, directing them to complete the project within a month or face stringent action.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had floated a tender for the runway carpeting project in December 2023, awarding the contract to K.G. Gupta Company on May 1, 2024. However, the project remains incomplete, leading to several complaints reaching the minister’s office. Adding to the woes, the airport has restricted flight operations between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., causing ticket prices to surge two- to threefold, severely affecting frequent flyers.

Taking note of the grievances, Gadkari inspected the site on Monday, accompanied by MLA Mohan Mate, airport advisory committee members Giridhari Mantri, Prakash Bhoyar, and Dilip Jadhav, MIHAN Managing Director Swati Pandey, AAI officials, and representatives of K.G. Gupta Company.

Following the award of the contract in May 2024, the company conducted surveys and submitted reports between June and September 2024. Actual work commenced on October 1, 2024, but faced intermittent stoppages. Work resumed on November 24, with 80% of the first layer completed. The company indicated that the second and third layers would require time until May 21, 2025.

However, Gadkari criticized the sluggish progress, highlighting the undue burden on passengers due to increased fares. Addressing MIHAN and the contractor’s officials, he emphasized that extending this inconvenience for another five months was unacceptable. He issued a directive to complete the runway within a month, warning of strict consequences if the deadline is not met.